Richmond Online - Local News

Nominations Sought For The David Doorbar Award For Innovation And Excellence In Retail

Friday - December 8, 2017

The Richmond Business and Tourism Association (RBTA) is seeking nominations for the David Doorbar Award for Innovation and Excellence in Retail.

Nominations may be made for any retail business, including food and non-food, motor dealers and building suppliers, restaurants and food outlets that trade from premises within the Richmond or St. Martin’s boundary.

How the business is presented - exterior and interior and window displays - presentation of the staff, welcome to customers, efficiency, a desire to help and innovative ideas that keep the business fresh will be at the heart of nominations for this annual award.

For many years, with his wife Faye, David Doorbar ran Richmond Motor Company, a successful Nissan dealership in Dundas Street. They frequently achieved top places for Customer Care in the Nissan league tables, often beating top dealerships.

After the couple sold the business in 2006, David continued as the RBTA Treasurer; was a management board member for the Leader fund; director and chairman at Just the Job Environment Enterprise charity and a director at Yorkshire Business Aid – most of these on a voluntary basis.

David was passionate about Richmond and he wanted the town to thrive. He believed that businesses should strive to achieve the best and to look after their customers in the best possible way; “Most people think high streets are dead but I disagree – I’m passionate about getting businesses to reach their potential.”

David believed strongly that Richmond has the potential to develop into one of the most vibrant town centres in England, with an enthusiastic and successful retail sector at its heart. With new businesses opening in the town and a willingness to work together, it is possible that we can make this happen.

Before David was taken seriously ill he suggested an award for local businesses that would encourage innovation and excellent retail practices, including Customer Care. Shortly before he died in 2015 the RBTA presented David with the first of these Awards for Inspiring Innovation and Excellence in Retail. The following year the award was presented to Castle Hill Bookshop.

The RBTA is now looking for nominations from the public for the 2017 award. Nominations may be made through the website – www.originalrichmond.co.uk If you do not have access to a computer, then please post or deliver your nominations to the RBTA office at 3 Rosemary Lane, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4DP.